The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-01-20

&Git do1Un," said q roice in the darkness.
All the passengers except Hale started.
The man next to him moved his right hand
suddenly behind him, but as quickly stopped.
One of the motionless trees had apparently
closed upon the vehicle, and what had seemed
to be bough projecting from it at right
angles changed slowly into the family shin
ing double barrels of a gun at the window.
"Drop thatln said the voice.
The man who had moved uttered a short
laugh and returned his hand empty to his
knees. The two others perceptibly shrugged
their shoulders as over game that was lost.
The remaining passenger, John Hale, fearless
by nature, inexperienced by habit, awaking
suddenly to the truth, conceived a desperate
resistance. But without his making ges-
ture this was instinctiyely felt by the others;
the muzzle of the gun turned spontaneously
on him, and he was vaguely conscious of a
certain contempt and impatience of him in
his companions.
"Git down." repeated the voice impera-
lively.
The three passengers descended. Hale,
furious, alert, but helpless of any opportu-
nifty, followed. He was surprised to find the
stage driver and express messenger standing
beside him; he had not heard them dismount
He instinctively looked toward the horses.
He could see nothing.
"Hold up your hands"
One of the passengers had already lifted
his, in weary, perfunctory way The others
did the same reluctantly and awkwardly,
but apparently more from the consciousness
from any sense of danger. The rays of a
bulls eye lantern, deftly managed by in
visible hands, while it left the intruders in
shadow, completely Illuminated the faces and
figures of the passengers. In spite of the
majestic obscurity and silence of surround
ing nature, the group of humanity thus il
Illuminated was more farcical than dramatic.
A scrap Of newspaper, part of a sandwich,
and an orange peel that had fallen from the
floor of the coach, brought into equal prom
inence by the searching light, completed the
absurdity.
"There is man here with package of
| greenbacks," said voice, with an official
GOODNESS that lent a certain suggestion OF
custom house inspection to the transaction
"who is it9n. The passengers looked at each
other, and their glance finally settled on
| Hale
dts not him." continued the voice, with g
slight tinge Of contempt on the emphasis
"Youll save time and searching, gentlemen
| If you'll tote it out. If we've got to &C
through every one of you we'll try to make
it pay"
The significant threat was not unheeded
The passenger who had first moved when the
stage stopped put his hand to his breast.
'T'other pocket first, if you please" said
the voice.
The man laughed, drew pistol from hi:
hip pocket, and, under the strong light of the
lantern, laid it on a spot in the road indicated
by the voice. A thick envelope, taken from
his breast pocket was laid beside it. II told
the d-d fools that gave it to me, instead oi
sending it by express, it would be at theil
own risk" he said apologetically.
GAS it's going with the express now it's al
the same" said the inevitable humorist of -tht
occasion, pointing to the despoiled express
treasure box already in the road.
The intention and deliberation of the out
rage was plain enough to Hale's inexperienc'
now. Yet he could not understand the coo
acquiescence of his fellow passengers an6
was furious His reflections were interrupted
by voice which seemed to come from
greater distance. He fancied it was evel